Some indisputable facts of the Omega Speedmaster: 1) it’s the first watch to make the moon, and 2) it has one of the most impressive cult followings in the whole of the watch industry.

Would the watch still have enjoyed such a legacy if it wasn’t Neil Armstrong’s timepiece of choice on July 1969? It might not be the Moonwatch that we know so well today, but the Speedmaster had all the makings of becoming an icon anyway, with its classic chronograph layout, deeply satisfying symmetry, and ability to thread the line between sporty and stylish so effortlessly.

(Image credit: Omega)

This watch has seen countless variations over the years, catering seamlessly to both its male and female clientele with different sizes, colours and materials, but the latest 18-karat gold references to join the 38mm Speedmaster collection are destined to please both.

(Image credit: Omega)

The Speedmaster in 18-karat Sedna gold, for example, accentuates the brand’s red-toned proprietary alloy by pairing it with a taupe-brown leather strap. Instead of the contrasting brownsubdials from previous models, this creamy silvery dial is kept the same colour throughout for simplicity. The watch is then finished with 18-karat Sedna gold hands and indexes, lending it a gentle warmth that’ll wear well over many occasions.

Interestingly, customers are given the liberty to choose between either its iconic tachymeter scale set on an aluminium bezel, or for a glitzier dual bezel that splits the same tachymeter with an outer circle of 90 full-cut diamonds.

Shatricia Nair is a motoring, watches, and wellness writer who is perpetually knee-deep in the world of V8s, tourbillons, and the latest fitness trends. She is fuelled by peanut butter and three cups of coffee a day.